Obituary
On May 19th, 2021 Ernest Louis Chouinard passed away peacefully in his sleep at Parkland Lodge in Edson, Alberta.
Ernest Louis was born the third child after Helen and Marie -Anne and the first son to Louis and Lena Chouinard in the Bonnyville Hospital on October 29th, 1937. Followed by Anna, Stella, Jackie, Lorette, Felix and David.
Growing up in a French catholic community Ernie could always be found with his father who was the local blacksmith. Louis called him his “little man” and took him everywhere he went. Ernie got his sense of community and his quick wit from his Dad.
Ernie started his first job at the age of 12 when he was the water boy for his dad and uncles while building the Jasper Park Lodge. He then followed the work to Quesnel BC where he met and married the love of his life Caroline Rose Crotteau. They married that summer on August 16th, 1958 in Quesnel BC.
Then they moved back to the farm in LaCorey where Dennis was born in 1960. Following the work back to Quesnel Shirley and Gean quickly followed in 1961 and 1963.
Again, following the work Ernie and Carol moved back to Hinton where Bob joined the family the same year Darlene was born in 1967.
Then returning to LaCorey to take over farming from his Dad.
Sadly, two young sons Joseph and Arthur died at birth in 1971 and 1972 and Lynn rounded out the family in 1973.
After the Oilfield bust of the late 70’s the family moved to Edson in 1982, where the first of 17 grandchildren were born that year.
Ernie found great pleasure in the babies even though he could not remember any of the names. They were all my man and my girl. To be fair with 6 children of his own and 33 nieces and nephews it hard to hold that against him. Family was always very important to him above all else.
Ernie went as far as completing Grade 6. Even though not formally educated he was a hard-working businessman. He worked various jobs including but not limited to farming, road construction, various heavy equipment operations and finally snow removal until he retired. Running equipment was always his passion.
Dad was a great lover of animals. All the milk cows were his pets, and he knew them all by name. We had a pet pig named Pinky and a couple of his favorite dogs were Blackie and Shep.
It was dad’s great pleasure to be asked to give away his niece at her wedding in 1992. He and mom travelled to Ontario unknowingly during the first Blue Jays run for the World Series. They made it to the wedding and back, but dad was never able to get mom back on an airplane.
In 2001 Dad found out he had prostate cancer. This was devastating. He bravely prevailed and lived with the repercussions of the treatment.
Dad enjoyed woodworking in his shop. After life slowed down in retirement years Ernie built many projects including tables, bat boxes, blanket boxes, spinners, chairs, and toys.
In 2009 Ernie & Carol travel across Canada with good friends. They made it all the way to Newfoundland and back. Then they traveled to Alaska to round out the adventure. It took them most of the summer, but it was well worth it.
He leaves behind his loving wife of almost 63 years Carol Chouinard; 6 children, Son Dennis (Brenda) daughter Shirley, Son Gean (Karin), Son Bob (Roxy), daughter Darlene (Kevin), Daughter Lynn (Spencer), grandchildren: Jennifer, Shelley, Tyler, Amanda, Spencer, Brandon, Meagan, Kevin, Shelby, Jeanine, Eric, Stephen, Kristen, Nicole, Ryan, Darin and Step grandchildren Erin, Thomas, Marty, Candice, Brenda, Chandra and Nathan. He also leaves behind 12 great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents Louis and Lena Chouinard, father in-law Eugene Crotteau, Mother in-law Hazel Crotteau,as well as all his siblings Helen Hamel, Marie-Anne Dumaine, Anna Stevenson, Stella Stevenson, Jackie Chouinard, Lorette Cooper, Felix Chouinard and David Chouinard, sons Joseph and Arthur, son in-law Roger Sobush and his first “man”, grandson Justin Gean Chouinard.
He was an amazing husband and loving and caring father. He was a prankster and joker, and we will all miss his “inappropriate” comments and those twinkling blue eyes.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Parkland Lodge in Ernie’s memory.
To send flowers to Ernest’s family, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ernest Louis Chouinard October 29 1937 May 19 2021 (age 83)..
Death notice for the town of: Edson, Province: Alberta